by Jerry Senn
Last Saturday I sat in the barber chair of a migrant from the nation of Colombia. His accent was very strong and difficult to understand, however he talked constantly. I think he once asked “what do you do?” I told him, “I’m a preacher.”
The barber became rather excited and said (in words I could understand) “Are you one of those shouting preachers?” I laughed and said, “no, but maybe I should do more of it.” It turned out this man lived next to a church building where he could hear every word the lady preacher said from his living room which interrupted his home life.
Shouting preachers are well known in these mountains. Often when attending funerals in the mountains I’ve heard these exuberant men do lots of shouting with red faces and abrasive voices.
The problem may be to mistake enthusiasm as a direct work of the Holy Spirit, so they allow their excitement to get out of control. I’m sure they’re sincere and well meaning. However, I’ve known some who have been totally turned off by these “shouting fits.” This has turned them away from churches altogether.
On the other hand, perhaps we can move into the opposite direction in this regard if we never express ourselves with genuine outward enthusiasm. Listen to how the apostle Paul speaks about this.
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thanksgiving in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:16).
He is saying that both singing and admonishing are to be heartfelt and genuine expressions of thanksgiving. And we should not be fearful of letting it be seen in us!
But, notice Paul teaches the incentive for all we do is in response to “the word of Christ” or the love of Christ to which we naturally respond. Shouting may be called for at times but we must keep our emotions under control in meaningful and helpful ways.
I certainly want to “let the word of Christ dwell (live) in [me] richly,” even if someone thinks I am a “shouting preacher.”